Chris Jericho Stayed With AEW After Company Offered Bigger Money Deal Over WWE Interest

Chris Jericho’s future became a major talking point after months of speculation tied him to WWE, but a new update has made it clear why he ultimately stayed put.

During a recent Fightful Select Q&A, Sean Ross Sapp addressed the rumors surrounding Jericho’s contract status and confirmed that Jericho did sign a new deal with AEW after his previous agreement was extended due to inactivity. The conversation focused heavily on whether WWE played a role in his decision-making process and what ultimately kept him with AEW.

Sapp explained that Jericho was allowed to explore his options and did hold discussions with WWE, which only added to the speculation that he could make a return. However, AEW stepped in with a stronger offer that sealed the deal and ensured Jericho remained with the company for the foreseeable future.

After addressing questions about whether Jericho had re-signed, Sapp made it clear that AEW locked him in with a new agreement.

“Has Jericho signed a new AEW contract? Yes, he has signed a new deal. They had extended the old one due to inactivity, but he's there for the foreseeable future. I'm working to find out a lot of the details, but he wants them very close to the vest.”

Sapp then addressed speculation about WWE’s involvement and confirmed that Jericho did speak with the company before making his final decision.

“Can you elaborate on what happened with Jericho? I see people saying he chose AEW over WWE, but hasn't he been under contract this whole time to AEW? Did he sign a new deal? Did he talk to WWE? Yes, he did talk to WWE… But AEW offered more money and a more favorable deal.”

He also explained that discussions between wrestlers and other companies are not as rare as fans might think, especially when contracts are nearing their end.

“There's a common misconception that wrestlers are not allowed or can't talk to other companies while under contract. It's frowned upon. But there's no tampering… They were letting him explore his options.”

Jericho’s situation shows just how competitive the business has become when major names are up for renewal. WWE interest kept rumors alive for months, but AEW’s willingness to put more money on the table ultimately made the difference in keeping one of its longest-running stars under contract.

With Jericho now locked into AEW for the foreseeable future, attention will likely shift to what comes next for him inside the company and how his role evolves as the roster continues to grow.

Do you think Chris Jericho made the right move staying with AEW, or would a WWE return have created a bigger moment for his career? Let us know what you think in the comments.